Headwear Assembly

ABSTRACT

The presented invention is a durag with an enclosure in its crown configured to accept a bump cap insert. The durag has a hair shoot in the back portion that allows long hair or other headwear to be funneled away from the durag for comfort and security. The bump cap insert has a hinged rear section that allows hair or other headwear to leave the bump cap and the durag and allowed to be funneled down the hair shoot of the durag. The bump cap insert is ventilated and adjustable through trim notches and flex joints to accommodate various heads shapes and hair styles.

CLAIM OF BENEFIT TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 29/843,295, filed Jun. 20, 2022, which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to protective headwear. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a durag allowing for abump cap insert.

BACKGROUND

Bump caps are useful for protecting the wearer's head from bumps, cutsand bruises as a result of contact with objects such as overhead pipes,low ceilings and other objects. They are most often worn under apersonal hat, uniform cap, baseball hat or other non-protectiveheadwear.

The durag, which is headwear that is traditionally made of fabric, fitsclose to the head and provides some relief from the heat by the abilityto absorb perspiration. (Garcia, Sandra E. (2018-05-14). “The durag,Explained”. The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331). Because of its softfabric nature, the durag in particular provides no protection to awearer from head impacts of any kind. There is a current and unfulfilledneed for a bump cap insert that can be adjusted to accommodate insertioninto a durag or other headwear, and the need for a durag that is able toreceive a bump cap insert, and a bump cap insert that can alsoaccommodate long hair.

SUMMARY

The headwear assembly disclosed herein provides a durag that isconfigured to accept a bump cap insert. The bump cap insert is flexible,vented and trimmable to allow for variation in the user's head shape toallow for a comfortable fit while still providing some degree of safetyfrom impacts to the head. The durag also comprises a hair shoot thatwill accommodate those with long hair, as it allows a user to funnelhair into the tube and away from direct contact with the users back, andretains the hair safely within the durag. The bump cap insert comprisesa rear facing hinged section that is hinged proximate the crown of thebump cap insert. This allows for a user that desires to funnel hair intothe hair shoot of the durag to push the hair through the hinged sectionof the bump cap insert and then into the hair shoot of the durag.

This summary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, ordescribe each embodiment, implementation, feature or advantage of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of aportion of the invention showing in particular the hair shootfunctioning to funneling hair out from the durag head section.

FIG. 2 is a right elevation view showing a preferred embodiment of aportion of the headwear system depicting the extended headband ties andhair shoot of the durag.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation of a preferred embodiment of a portion of theinvention depicting in particular the zippered enclosure for the bumpcap insert pocket, the extended headband ties and the hair shoot.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of theinvention wherein the entrance to the hair shoot is indicated at 22.

FIG. 5 is top perspective view of the headwear system showing the crownportion of the durag with the zipper for the bump cap insert enclosuredepicted.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of a portion of the headwear system showing theexit of the hair shoot.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the bump cap insert portion of the headwearsystem showing in particular the hinge and the rear hinged section.

FIG. 8 is a right side view of the bump cap insert portion of theheadwear system showing in particular the rear hinged section in aflexed position.

FIG. 9 is a close up of a preferred embodiment of a portion of theheadwear system depicting the crown portion of the bump cap insertshowing in particular the hinge for the rear hinged section.

FIG. 10 is a left elevation view of a preferred embodiment of a portionof the headwear system showing the bump cap insert depicting inparticular the hinged rear section in a neutral or closed position.

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of a preferred embodiment of a portion ofthe headwear system showing the bump cap insert and in particular thecushion insert.

FIG. 12 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of a portion of theheadwear system showing in particular the bump cap insert pocket zipperunzipped, the bump cap insert pocket laid open exposing the bump capinsert.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, to those whohave knowledge or experience in this area of technology that many usesand design variations are possible for the durag and bump cap disclosedherein. The following detailed discussion of the preferred embodimentwill illustrate the general principles of the invention with referenceto the disclosed durag and bump cap. Other embodiments suitable forother applications will be apparent to those skilled in the art giventhe benefit of this disclosure.

FIGS. 1-6 depict durag 10 of the headwear assembly disclosed herein.Durag 10 comprises headband 16 that is preferably integrated into durag10. Headband 16 further comprises extended headband straps 18 and 20that allow for a wide range of adjustment to secure durag 10 to a user'shead in a comfortable and safe manner. Headband straps 18 and 20 areeach preferably greater than 9″ in length, but less than 15″ in length.Durag 10 further preferably comprises crown portion 13 and zipper 12.Zipper 12 preferably bisects crown portion 13 from front to back. Zipper12 serves to provide access to pocket 11 (see FIG. 12 ). Pocket 11 islocated under crown portion 13 and is sized to accommodate bump capinsert 100 (see FIGS. 7-12 ). Durag 10 is preferably made of a 4-waystretchable material to best accommodate bump cap insert 100 and a widerange of head and hair shapes. Durag 10 also comprises hair shoot 14which preferably of tubular construction. Hair shoot 14 allows hair 15and/or other head coverings to be funneled (see element 22) away fromthe users head, and off the user's back, for comfort and safety.

FIGS. 7-12 depict bump cap insert 100. Bump cap insert 100 is preferablyinjection molded from a thermoplastic polymer such as polyethylene.Those skilled in the art will recognize that other rigid materials thathave at least some flexibility may also be used. Bump cap insert 100comprises rear panel hinge 102 and rear panel 104. Rear panel 104 ispreferably hinged by rear panel hinge 102 at the top perimeter of rearpanel 104 and preferably in a rear portion of crown region 107. Rearpanel hinge 102 is preferably a living hinge. As can be seen whencomparing FIGS. 8 and 10 , rear panel 104 is permitted to rotate on rearpanel hinge 102. This allows rear panel 104 to rotate about rear panelhinge 102 to provide space for long hair, or other headwear, to exitbump cap insert 100 without having to make room under bump cap insert100 for the same. This also allows bump cap insert 100 to continue toprovide impact protection even with hair or other headwear exiting themain body of bump cap insert 100. When bump cap insert 100 is insertedin durag 10, the exiting hair or other headwear may then be funneleddown hair shoot 14 to contain the same for safety and comfort.

Though bump cap insert 100 is particularly suited for use in durag 10,it should be recognized that, because of its highly conformable design,it is a useful bump cap insert under a variety of headwear.

Bump cap insert 100 further comprises a plurality of flex joints 140.Flex joints 140 serve to permit deformation of bump cap insert 100 whilemaintaining a general protective shell. This allows the shape of bumpcap insert 100 to safely conform to different head shapes and hairstyles while still providing impact protection. The deformation isassisted by rear wings 170 and 175, the flexibility of which are enabledby flex joints 140. When used in a smaller hat or on a smaller head,rear wings 170 and 175 can come together, or even overlap, to conformbump cap insert 100 to smaller head shapes, hat styles or hair styles.Rear wings 170 and 175 may also overlap rear panel 104 for additionalsize adjustment. The flexibly of bump cap insert 100 is also enabled byflex joints 140 as they define substantial portions of front panel 110,allowing for any needed flexing of front panel 110 to accommodate auser's head shape, hair style or hat style.

Bump cap insert 100 preferably comprises trim notches 119, 120, 121,122, 124, 126, 127, 129 and 130. These trim notches are locatedgenerally along the lower perimeter of bump cap insert 100 and allow forfurther size customization of bump cap insert 100. Each section definedby a trim notch can be trimmed off at the notch to shorten or modifybump cap insert 100 to accommodate the needs of a user. Trim notch 126,located on the lower perimeter of rear panel 104, is useful when trimmedoff to allow more space for larger quantities of hair or headwear toexit bump cap insert 100. Trim notches 127-130 are particularly usefulwhen trim notch 126 is trimmed by allowing the option to furtherincrease the opening around rear panel 104 to allow more room for hairor headwear to exit bump cap insert 100, if needed.

Bump cap insert 100 further comprises a plurality of vent ridges 106,each vent ridge 106 comprising a plurality of vent apertures 108. It ispreferred the vent ridges and vent apertures are distributed uniformlyon bump cap crown portion 107 and rear panel 104 to allow for efficientventilation of bump cap insert 100. The other portions of bump capinsert 100 are also preferably ventilated via vent apertures 105.

Referring to FIG. 11 , insert 149 is preferably constructed of aflexible foam material and is preferably attached by adhesive to theunderside of bump cap insert 100. Insert notches 156 and 158 align withflex joints 140 to allow insert section 160 of insert 149 to move inconcert with rear panel 104 via rear panel hinge 102. The foam of insert149 preferably has an elastic property that urges section 160 and rearpanel 104 into a closed or neutral position (see FIG. 10 ). Stability isthus added to rear panel 104 and secures the hair or headwear exitingbump cap insert 100 through rear section 104. Insert 149 furtherpreferably comprises a plurality of insert slits 162 will allow ventingaccess to vent apertures 108. Section 150 of insert 149 is defined byinsert notches 152 and 154. Notches 152 and 154 allow font panel 110 toflex with insert 149. Insert 149 is preferably greater than 2″ in widthbut less than 5″ in width. The length of insert 149 is preferablygreater than 9″ but less than 14″.

Bump cap insert 100 also preferably comprises slots 180, 182, 184 and186. These slots may be used to secure the bump cap insert 100 to anadditional shell, a sweat band, a chin strap, or other accessory, viastraps (not shown).

While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments,it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that theinvention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments. It will bereadily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that manymodifications and equivalent arrangements can be made thereof withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, suchscope to be accorded the broadest interpretation of the appended claimsso as to encompass all equivalent structures and products. Moreover,features or aspects of various example embodiments may be mixed andmatched (even if such combination is not explicitly described herein)without departing from the scope of the invention.

For purposes of interpreting the claims for the present invention, it isexpressly intended that the provisions of Section 112, sixth paragraphof 35 U.S.C. are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for”or “step for” are recited in a claim.

1. A headwear system comprising: a durag comprising a front side, acrown portion, a rear side, an underside, the crown portion having abump cap pocket and a bump cap pocket entrance, a hair shoot integratedinto the rear side and extending from the rear side of the durag, thehair tube having an opening in communication with the underside; a bumpcap insert have a crown portion, a front section, a rear section, therear section being pivotally connected to the crown portion.
 2. Theheadwear system of claim 1 wherein the pivotal connection is a livehinge.
 3. The headwear system of claim 1 wherein the bump cap pocketentrance is secured by a zipper.
 4. A headwear system comprising: adurag comprised of a cap section having a front portion, a rear portion,the cap section being constructed of a cloth layer adapted to allow thepassage of air there through, an integrated headband positioned around abottom perimeter of the cap section, at least two ties, each anextension of the headband positioned rearward of the cap section, a hairshoot extending from the rear portion of the cap portion; a bump capinsert having a crown, a rear section, the rear section being connectedto the crown by a live hinge and adapted to align with the hair shoot ofthe durag.
 5. The headwear system of claim 4 wherein the hair shoot istubular in shape.
 6. A headwear system comprising: a bump cap inserthaving a front visor section, a hinged rear panel, the hinged rear panelhaving at least a neutral and extended position, a crown, the crownhaving a top side and an underside, at least three distinct ridgesections extending from the bump cap insert crown top portion, at least4 vent apertures in each of the at least three distinct ridge sectionsextending from the bump cap crown top portion, an insert coupled to thebump cap insert crown underside, the insert in secure contract with thehinged rear panel, wherein the insert has elastic properties sufficientto urge the rear panel into the neutral position; an item of headwearhaving a crown portion, the headwear crown portion having a top side andan underside, the crown portion underside sized to receive the bump capinsert.